Sky: Predicted Milan XI to face Napoli – continuity the key for Allegri

On the eve of Napoli's visit to San Siro, AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has settled on the team's lineup for the upcoming match. This game renews his rivalry with Antonio Conte, marking their first head-to-head encounter in 12 years. Napoli, having won the Scudetto last season, are favorites to defend their title, but Milan aims to send a strong message.

According to Sky reports, Allegri will use a three-man defense comprising Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Gabbia, and Strahinja Pavlovic, with Mike Maignan as goalkeeper and captain. The wing-backs will be Alexis Saelemaekers and Pervis Estupinan, maintaining consistency in the defensive setup.

The midfield is highlighted as a key area where the game could be decided, with Youssouf Fofana and Adrien Rabiot expected to play as mezzali on either side of regista Luka Modric. This trio will operate behind the forward pairing of Santiago Gimenez and Christian Pulisic, aiming to control the match's tempo.

Milan boasts significant depth on the bench, including midfield options like Samuele Ricci and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as well as forwards Christopher Nkunku and the returning Rafael Leao, who is back after a month out. The predicted starting XI is set in a 3-5-2 formation: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Estupinan; Gimenez, Pulisic.